JERUSALEM: Hamas on Wednesday released a video of a well-known Israeli-American held by the Palestinian group and seen alive in the footage.
The video was the first of Hersh Goldberg-Polin since the October 7 attack. The footage triggered new protests in Jerusalem demanding the government to do more to secure the release of captives.
In the video, Goldberg-Polin blamed the Israeli government for abandoning the people who were being held hostage by Hamas.
He also said that about 70 captives have been killed in Israel’s bombing of Gaza.
Goldberg-Polin is one of the most well-recognized captives. His mother, Rachel Goldberg, has also met with global leaders and addressed the United Nations.
Though there was no date mentioned in the video, Goldberg-Polin was referring to the weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover, which started on Monday.
His parents were much relieved to see their son alive but were concerned about his health conditions and well-being.
Hostages’ families accuse Netanyahu of not doing enough
Hostages’ families have accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not doing enough to ensure the release of their relatives.
After the Hamas video, hundreds of Israelis protested outside Netanyahu’s official residence in central Jerusalem on Wednesday, demanding the government reach a deal to bring hostages home.
A senior Hamas official, Khalil Al-Hayya, has said Goldberg Polin’s family requested mediators to inquire about his fate for humanitarian reasons.
The US, Qatar, and Egypt have spent months trying to reach another ceasefire and hostage release, but the negotiations appear to have stalled.
Hamas has said it will not release the remaining hostages unless Israel stops the war, which has killed over 34,000 Palestinians.
Netanyahu has dismissed those demands and said Israel would bring back all the hostages.
